Poll: Best Oxygen Analyzer For Entry Level Nitrox Divers

[mike_s]

Good point however I am a control freak and love the idea of multiple o2 meters analyzing the same mix as a 'check-and-balance'. Just an additional safety measure.

Are you diving independent doubles and indepent regulators and/or an additional pony botttle and topping it off with redundant Nitrox computers also?

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Well, I've only used the Oxycheq Expedition Oxygen Analyzer, but I liked it a lot. The only complaint I had was the knob was VERY touchy to calibrate it. It took extreme control to get it right at 20.9%.

 

[WaterDawg]

Anyone tried one of the DIveRite models?

 

[Charlie99]

The best Nitrox analyzer for a new Nitrox diver is the one at the dive shop where you get your Nitrox fills. Simply analyze your tanks there when you pick them up. I've never seen a shop not let you use theirs. Write the percent o2 on the tank on a piece of tape.

This is also my analyzer of choice.

In addition to %O2 and MOD's, I also always write the tank number on the slip, along with my initials. I've seen too many stickers or chunks of tape fall off of tanks, then get reattached to what the person thought was the right tank.

 

[gdive]

Thanks, Jeff. I use the Amoxtec at work and have also used the Abyss and I like the fact that you can sniff right from the tank. Seems like after the dust settles The Amoxtec might be the more financially wise choice for me.

Anyone want to speak to the supposed unreliability of non-captured gas models, i.e. the ones that sniff from the tank. I also have the Abyss analizer, but I bought it before taking some of my Nitrox classes - all of which have said that flow will effect the reading. Further, I have NEVER gotten my Abyss to take repeatible readings, and now it will not calibrate at all.

I would imagine that the Amoxtex has the same issue with flow rate inconsistencies; however, the may have solved this problem and I am just not familar with the solution.

 

[in_cavediver]

Anyone want to speak to the supposed unreliability of non-captured gas models, i.e. the ones that sniff from the tank. I also have the Abyss analizer, but I bought it before taking some of my Nitrox classes - all of which have said that flow will effect the reading. Further, I have NEVER gotten my Abyss to take repeatible readings, and now it will not calibrate at all.

I would imagine that the Amoxtex has the same issue with flow rate inconsistencies; however, the may have solved this problem and I am just not familar with the solution.

First, yes Flow rates do greatly affect the o2 reading. To know how much, read the spec sheet on the actual o2 sensor. In my case, I am in the middle of building my analyzer and specifically chose the sensor I wanted to use. For the sensor I chose, the readings were in the 1.2% error range over a flow rate of 0.l lpm to 10 lpm. Good enough for diving. The other interesting factoid about o2 sensors is the settling rate. The sensor I choose is 6 sec response. They ranged from 2 sec through 40 sec. Of course the life expectancy also varied roughly inversely proportional to that.

Now, for you abyss analyzer. I am willing to bet it would work perfectly with a new 02 sensor. From documentation I read when I selected my sensor, (may or may not completely carryover so check!), a sign of a failing sensor was failure to produce repeatable readings, failure to calibrate, and completely spurious readings.

Mike

 

[rje634]

Well, I've only used the Oxycheq Expedition Oxygen Analyzer, but I liked it a lot. The only complaint I had was the knob was VERY touchy to calibrate it. It took extreme control to get it right at 20.9%.

My OMS has the same calibration, how shall I call it, sensitivity.

It would seem that this poll it is going to be biased, seeing that the O2 analyzer that you own is going to be the best (in your opinion), isn't it?

 

[pants!]

The sensor I choose is 6 sec response. They ranged from 2 sec through 40 sec. Of course the life expectancy also varied roughly inversely proportional to that.

The ones with the quickest response last the longest?

 

[in_cavediver]

The ones with the quickest response last the longest?

Close, The quicker the response time, IE better for this type of analyzer, then the shorter the life span, IE worse for the analyzer owner.

Come to think of it, reading it back, I worded it extremely poorly didn't I. Oh well